View this area in EO Explorer. Image of the Day Snow and Ice. Although they move slowly, glaciers do move, and this movement alters the ice as it passes over land. Likewise, a moving glacier can carry with it evidence of geologic events it has witnessed. Image of the Day Land. While most glaciers in southeast Alaska are losing an astounding amount of ice, this glacier has been relatively stable.
EO Explorer. How did the glacier get so dirty? Although landslides and avalanches contribute, it all comes down to movement, melting and medial moraines. The Kennicott Glacier moves 26 miles from the high peaks of the Wrangells to the valley floor. Many glacial tributaries feed into this river of ice, each carrying its own load of debris as it carves its way downwards. These tributary debris loads form the medial moraines of the Kennicott Glacier.
The rocks and dirt on these medial moraines affect the melting of the ice underneath. If less than 6 inches of debris cover the ice, the dark layer will transfer heat and accelerate melting.
If the debris is more than 6 inches thick, it will instead insulate and protect the ice. As the glacier moves, the debris cover also moves, eventually spreading over the ice. The moraines merge just north of Kennecott, forming the surface moraine you see now. Even with its protective surface moraine, the Kennicott Glacier is melting fast. When the Kennecott Mines were at their peak in the early 's, the glacier towered over the mining camp, in some places even taller than the mill building.
But it is deflating quickly and now we look down on the glacier, even at street level. One study showed that the Kennicott Glacier lost to feet 35 - meters in just 50 years, from to Depending on location, the Kennicott Glacier is currently losing 6 to 23 feet 2 - 7 meters of ice a year, a dramatic example of a changing climate. Hikers should not attempt to cross glaciers without training and proper equipment, including crampons, ropes, and ice axes. Clean ice and even debris-covered moraines will turn slick and dangerous during or after a rain.
Please discuss your plans with a park ranger before undertaking glacial travel or mountain peak ascents. In general, if you've never been on an Alaska cruise, we recommend a cruise that sails Glacier Bay for the full experience.
But if you're impressed by sheer size or if you've already experienced Glacier Bay, choose an itinerary that includes Hubbard Glacier.
Find a Cruise. Cruise Tips. You may also like Dismiss. Holland America vs. Princess in Alaska. Going on an African Safari From a Cruise. Kenai Peninsula Cruise Tips. Home Cruise Guides Hubbard Glacier vs. These glaciers extend deep under water, putting pressure on the glacier ice, squeezing out air pockets and fractures.
The resulting ice is deep, cobalt blue and big icebergs, sometimes extending over 30 feet out of the water. That narrowness is also what is striking about this area. Ships navigate tight S-Turns en route to the glaciers, with 3,foot cliff sides on either side of the boat.
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